Cole Acker was sitting in class the week after Thanksgiving when his phone rang.

He had a feeling where the call was coming from, so he knew he had to answer.

Just a week previously, he had finished his application to the United States Naval Academy. A call with positive news couldn't be coming that fast, right?

But on the other line was a member of U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore's staff calling to inform the Wauwatosa West senior of his acceptance by an offer of appointment.

The news meant the fulfillment of a dream.

"I took the call, and it sounded official, so I kind of got anxious," Acker said. "Then he told me that I got accepted into the Naval Academy. He told me they were going to offer an appointment.

"At first, I didn't believe him. I didn't know if I heard him right. I had to ask twice to make sure. It was really just a shocking moment because I had looked at all the acceptance rates. It was crazy they got back to me so fast. I wasn't expecting that."

Taking to the skies

From a young age, Acker set a goal of becoming a pilot.

His passion for flying came from a friend of his grandfather who owned an airport in northern Wisconsin.

"He had two planes -- just small Cessnas," Acker said. "He took me flying. I was probably in second or third grade. That was the coolest thing ever. I sat in the seat next to him. I was in front. It was so cool flying over the lakes.

"Ever since then, I thought becoming a pilot was just what I needed to do."

Acker applied to the Air Force Academy and Naval Academy in order to pursue his desired career, with the Navy being the path that opened to him.

The application process to any of the service academies is lengthy, rigorous and flat-out challenging. Only the best of the best receive good news, as evidenced by the Naval Academy's rough acceptance rate of 9 percent.

Acker positioned himself well by standing out in the classroom, in the community and on the wrestling mat.

He didn't really seriously consider attending a service academy until last winter. He initially intended on pursuing an ROTC program at whichever college he chose.

A tour of an Air Force base opened his eyes to the possibilities of attending a service academy. Soon thereafter, Acker really dove into the pursuit.

Laser focus

Wauwatosa wrestling coach Kent Morin saw firsthand just how passionate Acker became. Acker balanced a fall lifting program with classwork, duties with the National Honor Society, volunteering and checking off the required steps for his application.

"He may downplay it a little bit, but I know how hard he worked to get it," Morin said. "I run a fall lifting program for my wrestlers not in a fall sport. I’d wait for some of the kids to come over from (Wauwatosa) East. He’d be like, ‘Can I start early, because I need to go work on my applications.’

"He would get an hour and 15-minute workout in over 45 minutes. To be that focused at that age is pretty unusual."

His breakout moment on the mat came as a sophomore during Wauwatosa's team sectional against Menomonee Falls in 2016.

Matched up against highly-ranked Eric Wunsch of Menomonee Falls, Acker took the eventual 120-pound Division 1 state runner-up to overtime, where he came away with a 7-5 victory.

"That was a real turning point," Morin said. "That's when he realized that he can compete at the highest level."

Acker fell two wins shy of qualifying for state at 132 pounds that season as a sophomore, losing in wrestlebacks at sectionals to finish at 24-14.

He broke through to state individual tournament the following year as a junior, winning the sectional championship at 132.

Acker's experience at state did not go as desired, however, as he dropped both of his matches by major decision. He wrapped up the season at 36-13 but was hungry for more.

"I just learned that you really need to stay calm," Acker said. "It doesn’t matter how many people are looking at you, it doesn’t matter how many people are around you, it doesn’t matter who the competition is – at the end of the day, it comes down to how you are feeling. As long as you stay calm and perform how you expect yourself to perform, everything is going to be OK."

Acker looked to better himself as a wrestler in the offseason by beginning to attend the Askren Wrestling Academy in the spring. He spent three to four days a week at Askren up until the high school season began.

"There are a lot of kids that join the different clubs, and they are there 50 percent of the time or when it is convenient," Morin said. "He was there."

Getting healthy

Acker has battled a shoulder injury in the early going of this season, but he entered Wauwatosa's dual meet against Brookfield East on Jan. 11 with a 10-2 record and No. 11 ranking in the state at 145.

His losses have come to state-ranked wrestlers -- Burlington's Jake Skrundz (9th at 145 in Division 1) in the semifinals of the Gunslinger Tournament on Dec. 2 and Coleman's Ty Blanchard (10th at 145 in Division 3) in the semifinals of the E.H. Stech Invitational on Dec. 16.

"His technique has really come a long way," Morin said. "He’s just one of the toughest wrestlers we’ve had around here. He’s one of those guys that’s willing to grind out for six minutes or into overtime.

"I’m hard pressed in all my years of coaching to come up with anybody that works harder and is a better leader than what he does in terms of leading by example. He’s a remarkable person."

After tasting the state tournament last season, Acker is hoping to not only get back but to find his way on the podium come March.

The New Berlin sectional features four ranked wrestlers at 145 in sixth-ranked Marshall Rushton of West Allis Hale, Acker and honorable-mention Nick Starich of Pewaukee.

But regardless of how this season turns out, Acker has set himself up for a bright future.

"I acknowledge that wrestling probably got me into the academy and is the main reason that I’m there," Acker said. "This season I’m just trying to have fun. Obviously, it is still competitive, but I’m just trying to enjoy it since it is my last year."

Arrowhead senior Marvin Marriott celebrates at the finish line with his brother Max close behind during the boys Special Olympics 100 meter dash at the Myrhum Invitational track & field meet in Hartland on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Arrowhead girls celebrate their 4th consecutive State Championship with a 7-5 victory over Whitefish Bay/Nicolet/Shorewood (WNS) in the 2017 Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation State Championship game at Carroll University on Friday, June 9, 2017. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Mukwonago senior Bailey Kroll competes in the pole vault at the Myrhum Invitational track and field meet in Hartland on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Kroll placed second with a vault of 14 feet. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Pewaukee third baseman Trent Borgardt (33) guns down a runner headed to first during the Land O' Lakes baseball game at Hartland on Sunday, July 23, 2017. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Spectators watch as Arrowhead junior Henry Chapman races flat out on the final stretch to secure a second place finish in the Classic 8 Conference Championship cross country meet at Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. Scott Ash/Now News Group, Scott Ash/Now News Group

Members of the Brookfield Police post the colors during the national anthem prior to the football game between Brookfield East and visiting Brookfield Central on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Scott Ash/Now News Group, Scott Ash/Now News Group

Brookfield Central quarterback Drew Leszczynski (2) throws a touchdown pass on a fake field goal play to end the first half at Brookfield East on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Scott Ash/Now News Group, Scott Ash/Now News Group

New Berlin West junior Daily Albino competes in the pole vault at the Woodland Conference Championships track and field meet in Pewaukee on Tuesday, May 16. Albino won the conference title and then went on to qualify for state with a sectional title. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Lake Country Lutheran junior Jennifer O'Keefe (8) elevates for a kill during a match against Howards Grove in the Mizuno Charger Rally at the Milwaukee Sting Center on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. Scott Ash / Now News Group

Wauwatosa West senior Paris Howell competes in the long jump at the Woodland Conference Championships track & field meet in Pewaukee on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Howell finished third with a jump of 21-04.25. Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Girls varsity runners burst off the starting line for the Classic 8 Conference Championship cross country meet at Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. Scott Ash/Now News Group

Oconomowoc senior Hayden Matheny competes in the pole vault at the Myrhum Invitational track and field meet in Hartland on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Matheny set a school record in regional competition May 23. Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Shorewood's Abbey Drake (24) and Whitefish Bay's Taylor Kerwin (00) collide as they battle for control of the ball during their game at Shorewood High School Tuesday, April 11, 2017, in Shorewood, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha South's Armoni Brown competes in the Long Jump Event of the West Allis Nathan Hale Mondo Invitational Track and Field Meet held at West Allis Nathan Hale High School Saturday, April 15, 2017, in West Allis, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

New Berlin West's Aubrey Tarmann (8) and Greendale's Desa Vorkapich collide as they battle for control of the ball during the varsity teams game at Greendale High School Tuesday, April 25, 2017, in Greendale, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha West's Jayden Wollenberg warms-up in the Pole Vault Event before the start of the West Allis Nathan Hale Mondo Invitational Track and Field Meet held at West Allis Nathan Hale High School Saturday, April 15, 2017, in West Allis, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay's Michael Kirkendoll reacts as he comes up short afte his heat was stopped due to a timing problem in the 55 Meter Hurdles Event of the Wangerin Track and Field Invitational held in Whitefish Bay High School Tuesday, March 21, 2017, in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Cedarburg's Clayton Van Tassel (24) encounters some stiff defense from La Crosse Central's Jordan Davis during the WIAA Division 2 state championship game on March 18 at the Kohl Center in Madison. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Cedarburg's Jared Short reacts on the court following the teams Division 2 WIAA Boys State Basketball Tournament Championship Game against La Crosse Central in the UW Kohl Center Saturday, March 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Arrowhead's Ben Seefeld reacts on the bench duing the closing seconds of the teams Division 1 WIAA Boys State Basketball Tournament Championship Game against Stevens Point in the UW Kohl Center Saturday, March 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Brookfield Central Head Coach Dan Wandrey shouts to his playes during the teams Division 1 WIAA Boys State Basketball Tournament Semi-Final Game against Arrowhead in the UW Kohl Center Friday, March 17, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Brookfield Central's Jack Brady reacts after taking his turn cutting down the net following the teams WIAA Sectional Final game against Milwaukee Vincent in West Allis Central High School Saturday, March 11, 2017, in West Allis, Wisconsin. Central won the game and will play in the WIAA State Tournament at 8:15 PM Friday in the UW Madison Kohl Center. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

The Oak Creek bench reacts as they score over Brookfield Central during the teams WIAA sectional semifinal game in Milwaukee South High School Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Brookfield Central Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Mallory Liebl shouts to her players during the second half of the teams WIAA Sectional Final Game against Oak Creek in Milwaukee South High School Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Arrowhead players Ben Beversdorf and Caleb Beversdorf skate back to the bench following their overtime loss to the Waukesha wings in the WIAA State quarterfinal game at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison Thursday, March 2, 2017. Waukesha won the game 2-1 in overtime on a goal by Ben Sorge. Todd Ponath/Now Media Group

Waukesha forward Chad Larson (left) celebrates his goal with Wyatt Wilderman during the WIAA State quarterfinal game at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison on Thursday, March 2, 2017. Waukesha won the game, 2-1, in overtime on a goal by Ben Sorge. Todd Ponath/Now Media Group

Greendale Cheerleaders react as Waukesha North's Kiara Ramirez goes out of bounds during their WIAA Regional Game in Greendale High School Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in Greendale, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial Swim Coach Blaine Carlson and members of his team jump into the pool following the WIAA Division 1 Boys State Swim Meet in the University of Wisconsin Madison Natatorium Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial's Caleb Blischke reacts in the pool after the 400 freestyle relay event of the WIAA Division 1 Boys State Swim Meet in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Natatorium on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Madison. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Muskego's Jack Rohlinger gathers his thoughts before the start of the 50 Freestyle Event of the WIAA Division 1 Boys State Swim Meet in the University of Wisconsin Madison Natatorium Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Wauwatosa's Danny Larson blows a kiss to an unseen spectator following the 200 freestyle at the WIAA Division 1 boys state swim meet in the University of Wisconsin Natatorium on Feb. 18. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha West/Mukwonago's Nick Gerum competes in the 200 IM Event of the W.I.A.A. Boys Sectional Swim Meet held in Waukesha South High School Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha West/Mukwonago's Nick Gerum competes in the 200 IM Event of the W.I.A.A. Boys Sectional Swim Meet held in Waukesha South High School Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay's Gunnar Stock attempts to keep the ball in-bounds during his game against Nicolet in Whitefish Bay High School Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Whitnall's Helen Smasal (left) and Greenfield's Ratka Karac battle for possession of the ball in the Falcons' 68-57 triumph on Jan. 6. Karac led the Hustlin' Hawks with 23 points. Michael T. McLoone for Now Media

Wauwatosa East's Ke'Andre Griffin attempts to keep the ball in-bounds during his teams game against Racine Park in Wauwatosa East High School Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

The Muskego Varsity Cheerleading squad watch a teammate compete as an individual before the A Table judges during the Greenfield Extreme Cheerleading Competition hosted by Greenfield High School Cheerleaders on Jan. 28. C.T. Kruger/Now Media Group

Coach Bob Maronde hands a WIAA Division 2 Sectional plaque to the Cudhay Girls basketball team follwing its 43-34 win over Wauwatosa East at Brown Deer High School on March 4. C.T. Kruger/Now Media Group

Sydney Halstead and the Wauwatosa East Girls Soccer team stream out to greet Emma Martin who made the winning penalty kick to defeat Pewaukee in double overtime and 10 penalty kicks in a WIAA Division 2 sectional win on June 10 and advancement to State competition on Friday, June 16. C.T. Kruger/Now Media Group

The start of the second heat of the 200-meter freestyle relay during the Whitnall Falcon FunFest Invitational on Aug. 19 at the Village Club in Greendale, the season's only outdoor swim meet. C.T. Kruger/Now News Group

Waukesha West's Aric Booth heads the ball away from Oregon's Collin Bjerke during WIAA Division 2 State semifinal play on Nov. 2. at Uihlein Soccer Park. Waukesha West played to a 2-2 tie in regulation play against Oregon, tied 1-1 in two overtime periods, and lost 4-3 in penalty kicks. C.T. Kruger/Now News Group

Jacob Blanco of Whitnall/Greendale struggles to get out of the hold of Mukwonagos Tyris Sinlapakone in the 132lbs class during the WIAA Wrestling Regional Meet at Nathan Hale high school. 11 Feb 2017 Kenny Yoo for Now Media Group

Wauwatosa East sophomore Sydney Halstead (10) tries to contain Whitefish Bay's Taylor Kerwin (00) during the WIAA Division 2 girls state soccer championship at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Kerwin scored three goals in the game, giving her the first hat trick in Division 2 state championship history. Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay seniors Daria Ghorbanpoor (left) and Taylor Kerwin (00) celebrate scoring the first goal during the WIAA division 2 girls state soccer semifinal against Oregon at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Friday, June 16, 2017. Ghorbanpoor scored in the 43rd minute after the initial shot by Kerwin was blocked. Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay players storm the field after winning the WIAA Division 2 girls state soccer championship 5-1 over Wauwatosa East at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Pewaukee pitcher Patrick Tomfohrde (14) looks skyward after defeating Greendale 11-0 at home on Thursday, June 29, 2017. The gesture was to his late father, Scott, who passed away on May 20 from a major stroke. The win secured a share of the Woodland West conference championship for Pewaukee. Scott Ash/Now Media Group